Authentic Seafood Pad Thai Recipe: A Classic Thai Dish With a Seafood Twist

Ingredients

200 grams of rice noodles
150 grams of mixed seafood (prawns, mussels, squid)
2 eggs
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 red chili, finely sliced
1 handful of bean sprouts
1 lime, cut into wedges
3 spring onions, sliced
50 grams of unsalted peanuts, crushed
2 tablespoons of oil
2 tablespoons of fish sauce
1 tablespoon of soy sauce
1 tablespoon of tamarind paste
1 tablespoon of sugar

Steps and instructions

Soak the rice noodles in warm water for 30 minutes, then drain and set aside.
Prepare the sauce by combining fish sauce, soy sauce, tamarind paste, and sugar in a small bowl. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
Heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chili and sauté for a few seconds until they become fragrant.
Add the mixed seafood to the pan and cook until just done. Remove the seafood from the pan and set aside.
In the same pan, add the eggs and scramble until just set.
Add the drained noodles to the pan and pour the sauce over them. Stir-fry for a few minutes until the noodles are cooked and have absorbed the sauce.
Add the cooked seafood, bean sprouts, and half of the spring onions to the pan. Stir-fry for another minute or two until everything is heated through.
Serve the pad thai on a plate, garnished with the remaining spring onions, crushed peanuts, and lime wedges.

Tools for making

Large pan - Used for stir-frying the ingredients.
Small bowl - Used for mixing the sauce ingredients.
Knife - Used for mincing the garlic, slicing the chili, and cutting the lime.
Cutting board - Used as a surface for chopping and slicing ingredients.
Tongs or spatula - Used for stirring and flipping the ingredients in the pan.
Measuring spoons - Used for accurately measuring the fish sauce, soy sauce, tamarind paste, and sugar.
Grater or mortar and pestle - Used for crushing the unsalted peanuts.
Strainer - Used for draining the soaked rice noodles.

Recipe variations

Vegetarian option: Replace the mixed seafood with tofu or tempeh.
Chicken Pad Thai: Substitute the seafood with cooked chicken breast.
Shrimp Pad Thai: Use shrimp as the sole seafood ingredient.
Spicy Pad Thai: Increase the amount of red chili or add some chili flakes for an extra kick.
Vegetable Pad Thai: Add a variety of stir-fried vegetables such as bell peppers, carrots, and broccoli.
Gluten-free option: Use gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
Nut-free option: Omit the crushed peanuts or replace them with toasted sesame seeds.
Extra garnishes: Sprinkle chopped cilantro or Thai basil over the top for added flavor.
Customized protein: Experiment with different seafood combinations such as scallops, crab meat, or clams.
Pad Thai with noodles alternatives: Try using zucchini noodles (zoodles) or sweet potato noodles for a low-carb twist.

Recipe overview

Indulge in the flavors of Southeast Asia with this delicious Seafood Pad Thai recipe. This dish is a delightful mix of rice noodles stir-fried with a variety of seafood, including prawns, mussels, and squid, all tossed in a tangy and slightly spicy sauce. It's a quick and relatively easy recipe to prepare, making it an ideal choice for both weeknight dinners and special occasions. The combination of sour, sweet, and salty flavors, along with a variety of textures from the noodles, seafood, and crunchy peanuts, make this a meal that's sure to satisfy your taste buds. Serve it with lime wedges for added zing, and enjoy a taste of Thailand right at your dining table.

Common questions

Can I use different types of seafood?
Yes, you can use any combination of seafood that you prefer or have available. Prawns, mussels, and squid are commonly used in seafood pad thai, but feel free to customize it to your liking.
Can I substitute the rice noodles with other types of noodles?
While rice noodles are traditional for pad thai, you can experiment with other types of noodles like egg noodles or even spaghetti if you prefer. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Is there a vegetarian version of this recipe?
Yes, you can make a vegetarian version by omitting the seafood and replacing it with tofu or extra vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or broccoli.
Can I make the sauce in advance?
Absolutely! You can prepare the sauce in advance and store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Just give it a good stir before using.
Can I adjust the spiciness level?
Yes, you can adjust the spiciness by adding more or less chili according to your preference. You can also remove the seeds from the chili to reduce the heat.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, you can easily double or adjust the quantities of the ingredients to make a larger batch. Just make sure to use a larger pan and adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Serving dishes and utensils

Large pan - A large pan is needed to cook the pad thai and stir-fry the ingredients.
Small bowl - A small bowl is required to mix the sauce ingredients together.
Knife - A knife is needed to mince the garlic, slice the chili, and cut the lime into wedges.
Cutting board - A cutting board is necessary for chopping the garlic, chili, and spring onions.
Tongs - Tongs are helpful for tossing and stirring the noodles and ingredients in the pan.
Spatula - A spatula can be used to scramble the eggs and stir-fry the noodles.
Grater or mortar and pestle - A grater or mortar and pestle can be used to crush the unsalted peanuts.
Strainer or colander - A strainer or colander is needed to drain the soaked rice noodles.

Origin stories

Pad Thai, a popular stir-fried noodle dish, is often considered a signature dish of Thailand. However, it's interesting to note that this dish isn't as ancient as one might expect from such a traditional cuisine. In fact, Pad Thai was promoted in Thailand during the 1930s and 1940s by Prime Minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram as part of his campaign to establish a national identity. The creation of this dish was aimed at modernizing the country and reducing dependence on rice production. Though its origins may be relatively recent, Pad Thai has certainly made a lasting impact on Thai cuisine and is cherished by food lovers worldwide.

Disclaimer: This recipe was not created by humans and we cannot ensure that it will turn out as expected. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this recipe (including steps, ingredients, nutritional information, and all sections on this page). You should check to make sure you are not allergic to any ingredients and take safety precautions while making this. The images on this page are generated by AI and may not accurately represent the result of making this recipe.